Two Dalit youths stripped, tied, & dragged over theft suspicion in Muktsar; SC panel seeks report from SSP By June 9

Bathinda: Two Dalit youths were allegedly stripped, tied, and dragged through agricultural fields in scorching heat over suspicion of theft in Punjab's Muktsar district on Saturday.The incident comes just two days after a viral video surfaced from Haryana's Hansi district showing a Dalit youth hanging upside down in a well over the alleged theft of a water pump.Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has taken suo motu notice of the incident in Jhord village, seeking a report from the Muktsar SSP, to be submitted through the SP (headquarters) by June 9.Sources said a group of villagers stormed the homes of the two local youths after learning about the theft of a mobile phone from a migrant labourer. The two were taken to the paddy fields, where they were initially tied to a tree, partially undressed, and bound by their hands before being dragged, showed a video that later went viral and sparked outrage.Ashok Mahindra, a representative of a local pro-Dalit organisation, said, "The villagers acted in a Taliban style. Even if these youths committed a crime, there is a legal system to deal with them. We will request the Punjab social security minister, who represents the Malout constituency, to take serious note of this incident."Malout DSP JS Dhaliwal identified the two youths as Gurpinder Singh (27) and Sandeep Singh (28), both residents of Jhord. Police said Gurpinder already faces a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.DSP Dhaliwal said the police are not overlooking the assault. "While we are investigating the alleged mobile snatching and the background of the youths, strict action is simultaneously being taken against those who indulged in this inhumane act."Villagers claimed the two men confessed to the theft during the ordeal.Former Punjab SC Commission member Karanbir Singh Indora also strongly condemned the incident. "The villagers acted in a highly objectionable manner. No one has the right to take the law into their own hands."Locals admitted to the assault but said they acted out of rage, claiming the two were involved in drug abuse and targeted a migrant labourer.MSID:: 131568249 413 |